Deck 25: Social Service Workers

Question 1

Find articles in which "scope of practice" of social work is discussed. Find additional articles in which "scope of practice" for any area of social service work is discussed. Discuss similarities and differences you notice.

Answer 1

No Answer

Question 2

Find a social service worker program that is offered at a community college in your community, and compare its content with that in the Bachelor of Social Work program nearest to you. What differences are apparent, and what similarities did you find?

Answer 2

No Answer

Question 3

Referring to the examples of Common Job Titles for Social Service Workers by Job Setting (Table 25.1) find three postings of job opportunities that include any of the titles listed, and discuss the similarities and differences between them.

Answer 3

No Answer

Question 4

Search for information about an organization that promotes an area of social service work (eg. Youth Care). What does it offer to members? What are its goals? How might its existence ultimately benefit service users?

Question 5

Discuss the need for an anti-oppression framework in order to foster inclusiveness and explain how "the very evils social workers seek to overcome in society - systemic barriers, prejudice, and discrimination - are reflected in the structure of the profession." (p. 381)

Question 6

What are three factors that coincide with the continued growth of social services and welfare?

Question 7

What are three areas in the range of skilled duties that social service workers provide?

Question 8

What are four core areas of study found in the curriculum of social service worker programs in colleges?

Question 9

Explain some of the things that may have motivated social service worker students to go into the field of helping.

Question 10

What are some negative consequences of a common myth that college education lacks the rigour and theoretical foundation received through university programs?

Question 11

The work undertaken by social service workers focuses on building the capacity of:

A) Individuals
B) Groups
C) Communities
D) Society
E) All of the above

Question 12

Social service worker programs were introduced:

A) In 1966 in community colleges
B) In 1966 in universities
C) In 1986 in community colleges
D) In 1986 in universities

Question 13

Today how high has the number of community and social service workers risen?

A) To over 100,000
B) To close to 90,000
C) To close to 80,000
D) To close to 70,000

Question 14

The fact that college-trained graduates outnumber degree-trained graduates by two to one speaks to:

A) The greater ability of colleges to put educational programs into place
B) The importance of paraprofessionals in providing service and the volume of work provided
C) Higher job prospects for university graduates
D) Greater power for college graduates

Question 15

A social service worker is someone:

A) Trained to assist the social worker, as well as licensed to practise the profession
B) Trained as a social worker, and licensed to practise the profession
C) Trained as a social worker, but not licensed to practise the profession
D) Trained to assist the social worker, but not licensed to practise the profession

Question 16

The "defining difference" between a social worker and a social service worker centres on the concept of:

A) Empowerment
B) Power
C) Diagnosis
D) Skills

Question 17

Currently how many college programs across Canada provide social service worker training?

A) 20-30
B) 30-40
C) 40-50
D) Over 50

Question 18

In general, social service work is defined as:

A) Practical, direct service, and non-counselling tasks.
B) Practical, direct service and diagnosis
C) Case management and non-counselling tasks
D) Case management and practical, direct service.

Question 19

What does a practicum component provide to students enrolled in social service worker programs?

A) Opportunity to engage in role plays
B) Field practice experience
C) Opportunity for problem-based learning
D) The chance to work toward a degree

Question 20

What percentage of social service worker students are typically women?

A) 65%
B) 75%
C) 85%
D) 95%

Question 21

Much has been written about the paraprofession of social service work and its expanding role.

Question 22

Social service workers are limited in their ability to undertake therapeutic counselling.

Question 23

Employers and social service worker educators agree on which tasks clearly define social service work.

Question 24

Private colleges offering one-year "social service worker" programs are today lobbying to be included in Ontario's professional college.

Question 25

Currently course work in college social service worker programs concentrate on a specialist approach to practice.

Question 26

Social service worker students are often attracted to the field because of personal life experiences.

Question 27

The overall unemployment rate for social service workers is below average, at 3.3 percent.

Question 28

The incorporation of a paraprofessional position into the mix has been greeted with an almost unanimous welcome among some BSW, MSW, and doctoral practitioners.

Question 29

The lowest concentration of social service workers is found in Alberta, Manitoba and Prince Edward Island.

Question 30

Recent concern over youth and urban violence has produced a new wave of funding and additional jobs.